This “wearable book” presents a series of different beards for kids to try on by holding the pages up just under their noses.
What do a lumberjack, a pirate, a cowboy, a sailor, Santa Claus, and a police officer all have in common? Beards! And kids can try them all on with this novelty offering. In addition to a brief bit of verse, each double-page spread features a bearded face from the nose down so that when kids, or adults, hold the book up to their faces, they are magically and hilariously transformed. The skin tone, mustache and beard shape and color, mouth, and teeth are different for each face, ranging from a pale-skinned, open-mouthed lumberjack with a curly red beard to a lantern-jawed African-American police officer with a mustache and stern expression. Although the verses seem perfunctory and occasionally awkward (“This black beard / is braided and large. / Squint one eye and / let out an ‘ARRRG!’ ”), they won’t get in the way of the interactive fun sparked by the vibrant and funny illustrations.
Supplies needed to accompany this novelty offering: a mirror and some friends. Laughs and much silliness sure to follow. (Board book. 3-6)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-62370-183-3
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
Review Posted Online: Dec. 9, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
Categories: CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS
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A little bear named Teddy gets ready for Christmas with his father, Big Bear, in this decidedly cheerful British import.
Teddy is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Christmas, asking his father endless questions in the manner of little ones everywhere. Father and son work together to wrap presents, bake a cake and search for a Christmas tree. The tree that Teddy chooses is too large to fit through the doors of their house, and when they bring it through the window, the top of the tree snaps off. Teddy dissolves into tears at the accident, but father and son work together to repair the damage and decorate the tree for Christmas Eve. A joyful concluding spread shows the bear pair on Christmas morning, sprawled under their tree, eating cake and candy and enjoying their unwrapped gifts. The text is aggressively jolly, with sound effects and key words and phrases set in display type and lots of exclamation marks. But Chapman’s large-format illustrations are appealing, with plenty of humor and motion, and her bears are amusing—especially Teddy, who really does look like a teddy bear come to life.
A story with a youngster getting ready for Christmas with just his dad should be a welcome choice for single fathers to share with their children. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-58925-149-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2013
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS
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A disparate group of animals constructs a large sleigh so they can travel together to watch the northern lights.
“There’s magic in the winter air, / as all the creatures are aware. / A sway and creak as pines bow low, / and then begins the song of snow.” On this initial double-page spread and throughout, simple but eloquent rhymes are complemented by stylized, appealing animal characters that move within a soothing world of pinks, purples, and blues, dotted with flecks of snow and points of light. As the creatures gather, they sense they need to do something. The text describes the animals’ actions; readers will slowly be able to figure out what the creatures are making. Beginning with a falcon and ending with a mouse, a total of eight kinds of animals are introduced, each with their own contribution; the drollest one comes from Bear, whose body provides cushioning for other riders. Wolves pull the sleigh, and the text emphasizes that none of the animals are in danger (“no one hunter, no one prey”) during this expedition. Before the animals arrive to view the northern lights, there is a gently humorous mishap as the sleigh capsizes, and Stag and Beaver valiantly get it back on track. Text and art gracefully advance two themes—cooperation toward a goal and appreciation of nature’s magic—while also lulling restless readers toward naptime or bedtime. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Destined to be a favorite bedtime read-aloud. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Dec. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5420-2224-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
Categories: CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS
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